Job summary
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Picture, Archive and Communications System (PACS) / Radiology Information System (RIS) and associated systems that provide services to Radiology and users across the Health Board and North Powys and will lead the ongoing development and support of these systems in collaboration with the Head of Systems and Performance -Radiology.
As part of the PACS/RIS team they will be responsible for providing support to the clinical and administrative users throughout the Health Board. This will require building excellent relationships with systems suppliers and colleagues in Digital Data and Technology and clinical departments to ensure that the systems support timely delivery of services across the health community.
The role includes administration and monitoring of these systems to ensure they are delivering optimal performance, working in clinical areas to resolve problems and coordinating and providing training for staff to ensure that users maximise the benefits provided by the systems.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
- Act as the lead specialist for PACS and RIS and ensure a safe and high-quality service is provided to clinicians and patients in the Health Board and that all systems involved in the transfer, storage, viewing and reporting of images produced in radiology examinations are optimised to ensure efficient workflow for clinicians and other service users.
- Develop robust mechanisms for monitoring system performance including fault conditions and resolution times to support performance management against contracts.
- Contribute to the DSCSS and Radiology performance management agenda by developing database queries and reports to support information requirements and generate key performance indicators. This may also include responding to ad-hoc queries and supporting the DSCSS Management Team in the development of business plans and service strategies.
- Develop test scripts/routines and lead system testing to validate the safe and effective implementation of PACS/RIS software and hardware upgrades and their compatibility with interfaced systems and modalities.
- Maintain an excellent working knowledge of the RIS and PACS and associated system software.
About us
If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and 'Proud to Lead' competence framework.
Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the "Disability Confident Employer" scheme.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Job description
Job responsibilities
System
- Act as the lead specialist for PACS and RIS and ensure a safe and high-quality service is provided to clinicians and patients in the Health Board and that all systems involved in the transfer, storage, viewing and reporting of images produced in radiology examinations are optimised to ensure efficient workflow for clinicians and other service users.
- Develop robust mechanisms for monitoring system performance including fault conditions and resolution times to support performance management against contracts.
- Contribute to the DSCSS and Radiology performance management agenda by developing database queries and reports to support information requirements and generate key performance indicators. This may also include responding to ad-hoc queries and supporting the DSCSS Management Team in the development of business plans and service strategies.
- Develop test scripts/routines and lead system testing to validate the safe and effective implementation of PACS/RIS software and hardware upgrades and their compatibility with interfaced systems and modalities.
- Maintain an excellent working knowledge of the RIS and PACS and associated system software.
- Have a detailed knowledge of computer equipment and systems and to provide first line support for these items where appropriate. This will include a variety of PACS/RIS label printers, desktop scanners, laser printers, PCs and other computer peripherals, such as digital dictation and voice recognition equipment, barcode readers, etc.
- Maintain a high quality of service in a constantly changing environment.
- Setup and maintain system code tables, configuration and user roles and access controls for radiology IT systems.
- Work with administrative and clerical staff to support regular system data quality monitoring to ensure accurate and timely workflow.
- Undertake the routine transfer of image data to other healthcare providers using the PACS system and associated image transfer mechanisms.
- Develop systems for managing PACS support records in order to generate an audit trail with respect to user requests for support, system faults and image transfers.
- Undertake the production of CDs/ Image Transfer for both clinical and medico-legal purposes to be distributed accordingly in accordance with Information Governance Policies.
- Monitor PACS for errors and mis-registered studies and resolve data integrity issues.
- Perform image reconciliations and patient/study merges in line with the agreed standard operating procedures. This activity will require the user to correlate data from multiple sources and the use of judgement as to the sufficiency and robustness of the available data.
- Undertake the uploading of externally produced image data to PACS.
- Digitization of hard copy images
- Create user accounts for new clinical and non-clinical staff following appropriate procedures
- Assist with the installation, removal and relocation of PACS equipment used throughout the Health Board when necessary
Quality/Clinical Governance
- Coordinate Quality Assurance testing program, for equipment provided through PACS managed service contract, this will include both image acquisition devices and reporting workstations.
- Development of local procedures compliant with information governance policy.
- Monitoring PACS/RIS system performance.
- Contribute to the development of and actively assist in Clinical Audit
- Be aware of the medico-legal issues associated with the clinical information systems.
- Participate in and provide support for multidisciplinary research.
- Observe patients confidentiality with regard to the General Data Protection Regulation and Caldicott principles at all times.
- Comply with local clinical governance procedures when working in clinical areas, for example, infection control guidance.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- Plan and manage own work in liaison with the Head of Systems & Performance and in collaboration with PACS/RIS administrators.
- Lead projects within the Health Board related to or interfacing with PACS/RIS and associated systems.
- Provide specialist advice to support equipment procurements in relation to systems integration and workflow impact of new or replacement modalities.
- Support in the prioritisation of assigned complex tasks to meet organisational requirements.
- Support the addition of new imaging modalities.
- Have a flexible attitude and the ability to multi task as there is a requirement to deal with multiple incidents awaiting resolution.
- Work flexibly in order to deliver the timely responses to requests for support including cover in times of absence.
- Maintain an accurate log of PACS and RIS assets showing their current performance status and system information (IP address, location, reference number etc).
System Faults
- Develop robust mechanisms for identifying and monitoring system performance and faults and contribute to contract management.
- In collaboration with Head of Systems and Performance develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery procedures that minimise impact of system failures across the Health Board.
- Provide specialist input to enable the resolution of PACS/RIS fault calls.
- Monitor and maintain procedures for recording PACS and RIS equipment faults.
- Monitor reporting areas for hardware or other problems and take appropriate corrective action where possible.
- Ensure that equipment faults are reported in the appropriate manner
- Assist with simple maintenance tasks on the PACS hardware (e.g., replacement of mouse, keyboard etc) as required.
- Inform staff of equipment faults that may impact on service delivery and take appropriate actions to support continuity of clinical services.
Communications
- Liaise with suppliers, external organisations and other Departments & Directorates to manage planned and unplanned system downtime.
- Deputise for Head of Systems & Performance at national meetings as required.
- Use well developed communication skills when dealing with calls from staff about system problems / faults; to establish the true nature of the fault; the implications of it in relation to the provision of safe and timely services; and to, where possible, talk the staff member through the process to rectify the fault. This type of communication will take place face to face and also over the phone.
- Liaise with colleagues in IT and external system suppliers to ensure a timely response to requests for support
- Liaise with all appropriate personnel both internal and external to the Health Board in order to inform them of the current status of image data transfers via appropriate secure methods.
- Daily communication with clinicians, secretaries regarding the status of system performance, CD production / image data transfers support requests.
- Inform clinical team members of any issues relating to system performance that may impact on service delivery.
Training and Development
- Responsible for delivering and/or coordinating training of all staff in the use of PACS and RIS and associated systems. This will include staff within the Radiology up to and including Consultant level, and all staff who use PACS and RIS outside the Department, e.g., secretarial, IT and Consultant staff.
- Assist in the production of training manuals and instructional material to assist all staff in the use of digital imaging equipment/software.
- Proactively identify common faults/errors and ensure that appropriate training is designed and delivered to reduce their occurrence.
- Participate in team, professional and personal development activities and promote a commitment to continuous development and improvement.
- Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others.
- Assist with the training of student radiographers and clerical staff with regard to their required duties and assist them with using PACS.
- Participate in appraisals and personal development activities to set agreed objectives.
Managerial
- Line manager for PACS/RIS administrators in absence of Head of Systems and Performance e.g., to occasionally undertake first line sickness management, CARE referrals and return to work interviews etc.
- Liaise with clinical and non-clinical staff within the Health Board in order to contribute to an efficient radiology service.
- Promote good working relationships between all staff within the Radiology Department.
- Maintain where necessary, an appropriate level of all relevant consumables.
- Keep and maintain all records required by the department.
Job description
Job responsibilities
System
- Act as the lead specialist for PACS and RIS and ensure a safe and high-quality service is provided to clinicians and patients in the Health Board and that all systems involved in the transfer, storage, viewing and reporting of images produced in radiology examinations are optimised to ensure efficient workflow for clinicians and other service users.
- Develop robust mechanisms for monitoring system performance including fault conditions and resolution times to support performance management against contracts.
- Contribute to the DSCSS and Radiology performance management agenda by developing database queries and reports to support information requirements and generate key performance indicators. This may also include responding to ad-hoc queries and supporting the DSCSS Management Team in the development of business plans and service strategies.
- Develop test scripts/routines and lead system testing to validate the safe and effective implementation of PACS/RIS software and hardware upgrades and their compatibility with interfaced systems and modalities.
- Maintain an excellent working knowledge of the RIS and PACS and associated system software.
- Have a detailed knowledge of computer equipment and systems and to provide first line support for these items where appropriate. This will include a variety of PACS/RIS label printers, desktop scanners, laser printers, PCs and other computer peripherals, such as digital dictation and voice recognition equipment, barcode readers, etc.
- Maintain a high quality of service in a constantly changing environment.
- Setup and maintain system code tables, configuration and user roles and access controls for radiology IT systems.
- Work with administrative and clerical staff to support regular system data quality monitoring to ensure accurate and timely workflow.
- Undertake the routine transfer of image data to other healthcare providers using the PACS system and associated image transfer mechanisms.
- Develop systems for managing PACS support records in order to generate an audit trail with respect to user requests for support, system faults and image transfers.
- Undertake the production of CDs/ Image Transfer for both clinical and medico-legal purposes to be distributed accordingly in accordance with Information Governance Policies.
- Monitor PACS for errors and mis-registered studies and resolve data integrity issues.
- Perform image reconciliations and patient/study merges in line with the agreed standard operating procedures. This activity will require the user to correlate data from multiple sources and the use of judgement as to the sufficiency and robustness of the available data.
- Undertake the uploading of externally produced image data to PACS.
- Digitization of hard copy images
- Create user accounts for new clinical and non-clinical staff following appropriate procedures
- Assist with the installation, removal and relocation of PACS equipment used throughout the Health Board when necessary
Quality/Clinical Governance
- Coordinate Quality Assurance testing program, for equipment provided through PACS managed service contract, this will include both image acquisition devices and reporting workstations.
- Development of local procedures compliant with information governance policy.
- Monitoring PACS/RIS system performance.
- Contribute to the development of and actively assist in Clinical Audit
- Be aware of the medico-legal issues associated with the clinical information systems.
- Participate in and provide support for multidisciplinary research.
- Observe patients confidentiality with regard to the General Data Protection Regulation and Caldicott principles at all times.
- Comply with local clinical governance procedures when working in clinical areas, for example, infection control guidance.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- Plan and manage own work in liaison with the Head of Systems & Performance and in collaboration with PACS/RIS administrators.
- Lead projects within the Health Board related to or interfacing with PACS/RIS and associated systems.
- Provide specialist advice to support equipment procurements in relation to systems integration and workflow impact of new or replacement modalities.
- Support in the prioritisation of assigned complex tasks to meet organisational requirements.
- Support the addition of new imaging modalities.
- Have a flexible attitude and the ability to multi task as there is a requirement to deal with multiple incidents awaiting resolution.
- Work flexibly in order to deliver the timely responses to requests for support including cover in times of absence.
- Maintain an accurate log of PACS and RIS assets showing their current performance status and system information (IP address, location, reference number etc).
System Faults
- Develop robust mechanisms for identifying and monitoring system performance and faults and contribute to contract management.
- In collaboration with Head of Systems and Performance develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery procedures that minimise impact of system failures across the Health Board.
- Provide specialist input to enable the resolution of PACS/RIS fault calls.
- Monitor and maintain procedures for recording PACS and RIS equipment faults.
- Monitor reporting areas for hardware or other problems and take appropriate corrective action where possible.
- Ensure that equipment faults are reported in the appropriate manner
- Assist with simple maintenance tasks on the PACS hardware (e.g., replacement of mouse, keyboard etc) as required.
- Inform staff of equipment faults that may impact on service delivery and take appropriate actions to support continuity of clinical services.
Communications
- Liaise with suppliers, external organisations and other Departments & Directorates to manage planned and unplanned system downtime.
- Deputise for Head of Systems & Performance at national meetings as required.
- Use well developed communication skills when dealing with calls from staff about system problems / faults; to establish the true nature of the fault; the implications of it in relation to the provision of safe and timely services; and to, where possible, talk the staff member through the process to rectify the fault. This type of communication will take place face to face and also over the phone.
- Liaise with colleagues in IT and external system suppliers to ensure a timely response to requests for support
- Liaise with all appropriate personnel both internal and external to the Health Board in order to inform them of the current status of image data transfers via appropriate secure methods.
- Daily communication with clinicians, secretaries regarding the status of system performance, CD production / image data transfers support requests.
- Inform clinical team members of any issues relating to system performance that may impact on service delivery.
Training and Development
- Responsible for delivering and/or coordinating training of all staff in the use of PACS and RIS and associated systems. This will include staff within the Radiology up to and including Consultant level, and all staff who use PACS and RIS outside the Department, e.g., secretarial, IT and Consultant staff.
- Assist in the production of training manuals and instructional material to assist all staff in the use of digital imaging equipment/software.
- Proactively identify common faults/errors and ensure that appropriate training is designed and delivered to reduce their occurrence.
- Participate in team, professional and personal development activities and promote a commitment to continuous development and improvement.
- Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others.
- Assist with the training of student radiographers and clerical staff with regard to their required duties and assist them with using PACS.
- Participate in appraisals and personal development activities to set agreed objectives.
Managerial
- Line manager for PACS/RIS administrators in absence of Head of Systems and Performance e.g., to occasionally undertake first line sickness management, CARE referrals and return to work interviews etc.
- Liaise with clinical and non-clinical staff within the Health Board in order to contribute to an efficient radiology service.
- Promote good working relationships between all staff within the Radiology Department.
- Maintain where necessary, an appropriate level of all relevant consumables.
- Keep and maintain all records required by the department.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent qualification.
- Relevant Post Graduate Diploma in IT / Systems Management or equivalent experience gained through attendance at relevant short courses / study days and attendance at other sites relevant to PACS / RIS administration
Desirable
- IT qualifications e.g. ECDL, Systems Support, Networking, SQL
Experience
Essential
- Detailed, specialist understanding of radiology workflows gained through working within a radiology department.
- Leading implementation of PACS and Radiology systems and other Radiology IT projects
- Experience using RIS and PACS in the NHS
- Excellent understanding of IT equipment and the NHS network infrastructure and systems
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- IT literate using multiple software packages - email, word processing, spreadsheets, database, PowerPoint, and clinical information systems
- Development of custom database queries and reports - e.g. SQL etc.
Knowledge
Essential
- Comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of Radiology IT and PACS systems
- Data Protection Regulations
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Self-motivated, proactive and innovative
- Ability to occasionally work outside normal working hours, e.g. for system upgrades
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent qualification.
- Relevant Post Graduate Diploma in IT / Systems Management or equivalent experience gained through attendance at relevant short courses / study days and attendance at other sites relevant to PACS / RIS administration
Desirable
- IT qualifications e.g. ECDL, Systems Support, Networking, SQL
Experience
Essential
- Detailed, specialist understanding of radiology workflows gained through working within a radiology department.
- Leading implementation of PACS and Radiology systems and other Radiology IT projects
- Experience using RIS and PACS in the NHS
- Excellent understanding of IT equipment and the NHS network infrastructure and systems
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- IT literate using multiple software packages - email, word processing, spreadsheets, database, PowerPoint, and clinical information systems
- Development of custom database queries and reports - e.g. SQL etc.
Knowledge
Essential
- Comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of Radiology IT and PACS systems
- Data Protection Regulations
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Self-motivated, proactive and innovative
- Ability to occasionally work outside normal working hours, e.g. for system upgrades
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
